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How to be a good hostel guest

When it comes to staying in hostels, there are a few unwritten rules that should be followed so you don’t annoy any of your fellow guests or hostel staff. If it’s your first time staying in a hostel, here are some tips on how to be a good hostel guest...

1. Be tidy in the dorms.

When staying in a hostel, you are sharing space with people all of the time. If you’re staying in a dorm room, make sure you only put your belongings in your area. Don’t leave your things on other beds or crowd the space around the bunks. Most dorm rooms will have lockers for each person so use them to store your belongings - this also provides extra security.

2. Clean up after yourself in kitchen.

The kitchen is often the busiest shared space in a hostel. This can result in a busy kitchen but only a small amount of kitchen utensils and crockery to avail of. If you’re cooking and eating in the hostel make sure you clean up when you’re done so the next person to cook can do so with ease.

3. Take your shower nice and quick.

When you stay in a hostel you share bathrooms either in your dorm or on your floor. Most people will have a shower in the morning so make sure you keep this in mind when you are in the shower or bathroom. Don’t take too long in there when you are staying in a hostel as this can frustrate your fellow guests.

4. Try not to get up close and personal.

You would imagine that most people would be aware of this point, but after a few stays in hostel dorms we’ve discovered (much to our surprise) that this is not the case. If you want to get, how do we say... intimate with each other, do your roomies a favour and don’t do it. Just because the lights are off doesn’t mean your fellow guests can’t hear what you’re getting up to.

5. Be forthcoming!

Don’t be shy if you are staying in a hostel, particularly if you are travelling alone. Hostels are a great place to meet new people due to the amount of sharing you do in dorms and common areas. If you find that people aren’t talking to each other, then be the first to start a conversation! Ask people where they’re from, what they’re doing here and where they’re going next. These questions are always great ice breakers for fellow travellers.

6. Be quiet when coming in late at night / early morning

If you’ve been out late or you’re leaving early in the morning, be aware that other people in the dorm may be sleeping so try to be quiet. While most guests in the dorm expect some movement and noise, don’t strike up a conversation with your friends as you go to bed or leave your alarm clock ringing in the morning!

7. Respect other people’s belongings

Treat other people’s belongings as you would like yours to be treated. Even if your roommates have left them lying on your bed or in your way, be polite and place them on their bed. This also applies if you need to use other people’s belongings, such as some shampoo or a hairdryer. Just because they have left it lying around doesn’t mean you can just use it - golden rule is to always ask!

Have you any other tips on how to be a good hostel guest to add to these?

“ Everyone should be respectful to others' religious activities and beliefs as they may be busy in their prayers or etc... So be careful while its going on :)

maria minos said on 16/09/2011 at 10:55pm

“ Don't pack your bags in the middle of the night/early morning. Those crinkly plastic bags wake everyone. Drag your bag to the hallway to do what you need to do.

Cinnamon Sally said on 14/09/2011 at 12:22pm

“ Don't pack things in plastic bags and use bags with lots of zippers if you intend to use your belongings in late or early hours. Also, if you leave early in the morning, it's just polite to do the last packing outside the room in corridor. If you stay in a dorm for a few nights, before leaving the room for the day, leave a t-shirt or a book or something like that on your bed to show the staff and other guests that the bed is taken. LIGHTS! Don't turn them on in the dorm after midnight unless you know that everyone is up or out.

katriona said on 14/09/2011 at 8:54am

“ 1, 3, and 6 have been the biggest issues for me, especially 6. Groups of people coming in at all hours of the night, slamming doors and their lockers, turning on the main light, carrying on loud conversations, shrieking and laughing (too drunk??) -- it can be awful. I also agree with Cati about awful snorers ruining your night. Even though I dislike earplugs, it's sometimes easier to sleep with them than lie awake and listen to the snorer. To combat every light in the room being switched on at 2am, I also bring an eye mask. I run into lots of inconsiderate people in hostels. I try to be as considerate as possible, and remember that, if I'm staying at a hostel, I'm just going to have to try to be tolerant.

cati said on 13/09/2011 at 6:32pm

“ After a terrible night in a wonderful hostel in Berlin, I would say if you think you may snore like a truck or lorry, it would be very nice that you would not sleep on your back in a dorm...only happened once after twenty years using hostels all over the world but that night will be forever in my mind.

ahmed said on 13/09/2011 at 4:44pm

“ Thanks - I will do all these things.

anna said on 13/09/2011 at 4:33pm

“ Don't come in drunk and vomit all over your room mates, especially if you are in a top bunk and don't know the poor person underneath you!

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